I have visited the idea of only providing before and after school care on many occassions. These moments usually come to me when I am experiencing particularily challenging times caring for the young children I have in care. Is there anything worse than listening to a child screaming or crying for days on end that will make you rethink your daycare choices? When you are forced to interact with a crier all day long just about any alternative starts to appear better than your current situation of earplugs and dreams of the many uses for duct tape.
I was walking to the park, four toddlers in tow and passed by a neighbour who provides home daycare. This particular woman cares only for children who are in school full-time. Her home always appears so quiet and relaxed during the school day. However, in the summer it is a flurry of activity as it was today on her front lawn as my group and I hurried by as to not be struck down by the basket balls, kites, bicycles and footballs in flight. I had to admit that I was just a wee bit jealous that the provider was sitting on her front porch, coffee in hand, reading the morning paper. She didn't have to worry about anyone running on to the street. She didn't have to constantly follow the two year old with her eyes to ensure he didn't do the pee-pee dance so she could get him to the toilet on time. Nope, all her kids were potty trained, bottle weened and more likely to arm wrestle than hit their friend on the head with a sand pail. She looked like she wasn't really working at all.
Infants and toddlers are a lot of work during even the best of times. It doesn't take long for a provider to eventually become burned out and look for change. However, within that change there often needs to be an aspect of familiarity and assimilation to her current daycare arrangements. Most providers, while wanting a change, still want the ability to earn an income while staying home with their own children. There are few jobs that don't involved wiping snot and changing diapers that offer one the opportunity to work from home while getting paid. The options are definately limited. However, providing before and after school care could be the perfect compromise.
So if you are feeling the burn of full time daycare try out before and after school care. It is a market niche very much in demand. Just imagine days on your porch, sipping your coffee between the hours of 9am and 3pm. Ah, now that's life!
For concerns, advice or suggestions I welcome your email at judytrickett@yahoo.ca
LOL I'm just the opposite actually. I have 4 preschoolers and 4 school age in care and I can't wait for school to start. In comparison to the school age my prechoolers are so quiet and well behaved :0)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I have the same thoughts- my schoolagers are so much more work than the preschoolers!
ReplyDeleteyep, me too. I worked in a BAS prgram for one summer and by the first week was tired of hearing..."I'm bored, there's NOTHING to do!" even though we had been on 3 outings that week plus outside at parks etc the other two. At least todds and preschoolers can entertain themselves with ANYTHING for a while. Plus, if I am going to have a child having a tantrum it better be because they are under 4 yrs old and can't express themselves rather than an 8 year old who knows better!
ReplyDeleteI too agree, school agers are way harder to entertain than my little kiddies. Not only that, they can eat alot more and are way more pickier than little kids.
ReplyDeleteSchoolagers are much harder, the attitude and boredom. I much prefer my todds/babes.
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When my schoolagers are bored, I hand them a bucket of cleaning supplies, and offer to let them clean the toilets first- It seems they always have "something to do" immediately.
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